Instrumented platform for vibration-sensitive equipment

Abstract

A platform that includes a vibration sensor located within an inner core of a table. The table may have a first plate that supports a vibration-sensitive payload. The first plate may be separated from a second plate by the inner core. The sensor can be located within the core directly below the device. The sensor can be connected to an electrical connector attached to an external surface of the table. A monitor can be readily plugged into the electrical connector to obtain vibration data from the sensor. The platform may also include a damper located within the inner core to reduce vibration of the table. The damper may be an active device that is connected to control circuits located within, or outside, the inner core.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A platform assembly that supports a vibration-sensitive payload, comprising:
 a platform having a first surface coupled to a vibration-sensitive payload, a second surface, and a honeycomb inner core located between and coupled to the first and second surfaces; and 
 at least one vibration sensor located within said inner core and configured to sense a vibration of a surface of the platform. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first surface extends along a first plate and said vibration sensor is attached to said first plate. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector attached to an external surface of said platform and coupled to said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper located within said inner core. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said damper includes an active actuator that is coupled to said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a control circuit coupled to said vibration sensor and said active actuator. 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor coupled to said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said control circuit causes said active actuator to create an active force that emulates an effect of a viscous damper in a frequency domain encompassing a plurality of natural frequencies of a flexural vibration of said first surface. 
     
     
       9. A platform assembly that supports a vibration-sensitive payload, comprising:
 a platform having a first surface coupled to the vibration-sensitive payload, a second surface, and a honeycomb inner core located between and coupled to the first and second surfaces; 
 at least one vibration sensor positioned within the inner core and coupled to at least one of the first surface and the second surface; 
 a damper positioned within the inner core and coupled to at least one of the first surface and the second surface; and 
 a control circuit in communication with the vibration sensor and the damper. 
 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first surface extends along a first plate and said vibration sensor includes a vibration sensor attached to said first plate. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising an electrical connector attached to an external surface of said table and coupled to said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said damper includes an active actuator that is coupled said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a control circuit coupled to said vibration sensor and said active actuator. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a monitor coupled to said vibration sensor. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said control circuit causes said active actuator to create an active force that emulates an effect on a viscous damper in a frequency domain of a flexural vibration of said first surface. 
     
     
       16. A platform assembly that supports a vibration-sensitive payload, comprising:
 a platform having a first surface configured to support a vibration-sensitive payload, a second surface, and a honeycomb inner core located between and coupled to the first and second surfaces; 
 one or more vibration sensors located within the inner core configured to sense a vibration of a surface of the platform; 
 a damper located within the inner core configured to apply a force to a surface of the platform; and 
 a monitor in communication with the one or more sensors and the dampener, the monitor configured to receive vibration information from the one or more sensors and provide an excitation signal to the damper. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16  further comprising a control circuit coupled to the vibration sensor and the active actuator. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 17  wherein the damper is configured to apply an active force that emulates an effect of a viscous damper in a frequency domain encompassing a plurality of natural frequencies of a flexural vibration of the first surface in response to the excitation signal from the control circuit in communication with the monitor.